We’ve entered the “disinformation” stage of the draft buildup where you’ll hear a lot of “team x loves this player” and most of the time it’s more full of shit than Rex Ryan. Knowing who another team might like would be a great advantage, so if you’re one of the few teams like the Patriots who are CONSTANTLY competing, it makes sense to try and confuse the living crap out of everyone.
As always New England will be the premier power player in the draft, maneuvering up and down the board to get the handful of players that truly fit their system. When all the dust settles they’ll have a bunch of promising rookies and at least a couple additional picks for 2012. It’s just how BB rolls.
While I really see some Patriots promise in JJ Watt and Cameron Jordan, I’m not sure either of them will be there at 17. And I don’t see a cash all your chips and move up to take Robert Quinn scenario, nor am convinced that Aldon Smith is a sure-fire stud for the Pats system.
So if Watt or Jordan are not available, what do the Pats do? It’s looking more and more like a trade down situation to me; just a few spots to grab an interior lineman like Derek Sherrod, Danny Watkins, or Clint Boling.
Interior line is really a huge need that no one is talking enough about. Stephen Neal retired, Logan Mankins is going to skip town as soon as he can, and Dan Koppen is entering his final year.
I would even argue that they should go for a G/C at 17 over Watt or Jordan, but given the available talent I think they’ll be able to trade down and still get a step-in-and-start guy in the early to mid 20s. You could add Mike Pouncey to that list though I’m not as sure he’s as versatile as some say he is.
As much as people might be clamoring for a defensive end or outside linebacker, the current roster depth is far greater at those positions than it is at interior line. Imagine if under the new CBA Mankins is allowed to walk, or the Patriots decide to trade him. Then throw in an injury to Dan Koppen. Who’s your starting LG-C-RG?
Wendell-Ornberger-Connolly? Eeeeeek! That’s not what a 34 year old Tom Brady needs.
At least there’s some experienced depth along the defensive line and outside linebacker. They might not be ideally talented, but they will certainly be better than they were last year with Ty Warren, Mike Wright and Myron Pryor back, along with a year’s experience for Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick.
So it’s time to utter my favorite phrase around draft time…. DON’T BE SURPRISED… if the Pats take a center/guard with their first pick, whenever that might be. It’s the biggest need none of the pass rush fanatics are talking about, and it’s certainly not a sexy selection, but it’s the kind that teams who consistently compete for Super Bowls need to make.